Al. Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 (edited) The concept of my layout is pretty simple - recreate the Ludendorff Bridge in n gauge. The layout is a dumbbell format double track bridge with storage loops at each end. In display format, it measures 7.0M x 0.9M. This project started back in 2009 and following initial good progress, it stalled in 2011 due to a number of reasons. However earlier this year saw it restart and is progressing well. I'll get some progress photos up shortly. Cheers, Al. Edited December 29, 2017 by Al. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 Having spent a bit of time browsing round the site, I think I may have posted this in the wrong place. Looks like it should be under the 'Layout' section. Could one of the admin staff relocate it for me. Thanks. Anyway, back to my layout. This is the bridge I'm recreating.... Only before it fell down...! Historically, the Remagen bridge was the first bridge across the Rhien captured intake in 1945, allowing Allied forces to gain a foothold into Germany. My layout is set during the 1944-45 period and depicts the early stages of the build up of the bridge defences following the Allied landings. As I said earlier, construction started back in 2009 with scaled drawing completed and brass acquired. Which soon got cut to length and soldered together. . This is the stage I'd got to in Jan 2010. Both side frames complete. Next job would be to assemble the rail deck and bring it all together into a single self supporting structure. I'll post more later. Cheers, Al. 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 A few more progress photos. Early 2010 saw the two sides of the bridge come together and construction start on the two bridge abutments. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted August 16, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2014 This is some impressive modelling...this really looks the part. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 17, 2014 Author Share Posted August 17, 2014 Progress was slow in 2010 due to problems finding the right material to build the walkway hand rails out of. I'd originally intended to build the whole thing out of brass. By September I'd finally had to concede to using plastic for the deck and handrails. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Who does the N-scale French tanks? Somua S-35s, aren't they? That is a very impressive bridge. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Who does the N-scale French tanks? Somua S-35s, aren't they? That is a very impressive bridge. Adrian They are S-35s. The one I the photo is by Pendragon Minitures. I've since replaced them with Arrowhead Minitures as they are far superior models (although a lot more expensive). All military vehicle on the layout are now Arrowhead. I'll post some pics up a bit later Al Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Hi Al, Amazing project! Where did you get that enormous rail gun, is it "Dora"? Cheers, John E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Al, Amazing project! Where did you get that enormous rail gun, is it "Dora"? Cheers, John E. Yep. 1:144 scale model of Dora. Picked it up a few years back. Not a bad model. Some of the detail is a little on the course. http://www.amazon.com/Scale-WWII-German-Dora-Railway/dp/B000P92YWI 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 From late 2010 through to early 2014 progress almost ground to a halt, mainly due to lack of space. However, by that time the bridge had been painted with base colour and rail deck and walk ways completed. However, this gave me the opportunity to work on the rolling stock. Photos below are of the bridge with a rake f flats loaded with a detachment of Hummel artillery guns. And a few close-up of the Hummell train. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Graff Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 This is a really good model of the bridge! The towers look spot on! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 To bring things up to date, in early 2014 Remagen finally got a new home and things started moving forward. With new storage units installed layout building pushed forward with construction of the East bank and Erpeler Lay. 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 To bring things right up to date, there's been relatively little progress track wise on the layout, but a reasonable amount scenery wise. I've started sculpting the landscape for the Erpler Ley and got the house by the road under bridge pretty much done. Also had this little fellow arrive today. After a little bit of work it'll become one of several cameos that will appear on the layout. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 More scenery work this week.I've been pushing on with getting the Erpeler Ley built. I've got the basic structure done. It's slowly drying now. Prototype model would be some 900mm above river level. I've compromised at 600mm as any higher was causing problems. Much of it will be covered in trees with a section of exposed rock on the right hand side. On top I'm planning a battery of 88mm anti-aircraft guns. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallarddriver Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Hello Al, very fast progress in your built !!!! Just a little notice: Keep the cave in the middle of the Ley in mind. Kind regards Soeren 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughnut Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Fantastic piece of modelling. Always loved the Film of that name when I was a kid...Robert Vaughn....George Segal...etc. The real history's just as fascinating too. Poor old Major Scheller, will he be featured too? Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Hello Al, very fast progress in your built !!!! Just a little notice: Keep the cave in the middle of the Ley in mind. Kind regards Soeren In reality, the cave is a bit too far to the right to appear on the layout, however with a bit of modelers license will got it there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 A little bit more scenery done - cobbled roads, foot paths and curb stones..... 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 More scenery this weekend. This time part of the bridge defense trench system on the Erpel side. Still some way to go, but I've ran out of materials to go any further for now. This is it in approximate location. Once finished, the trenches will be sunk into the to provide a view over the railway line at the approach to the bridge from Remagen. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Been spending more time on the house this weekend. Pretty much got it completed. And this is how it looks in the layout. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted November 12, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 12, 2014 I like the effect of the garden...nicely toned down. What materials did you use? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted November 21, 2014 Author Share Posted November 21, 2014 Basic structure of the west bank tower is now completed. First job once I get back from Warley is to get the cladding on. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 Back from Warley and cracked on with the Remagen side west bank. Basic baseboard structure done and road base added. Also trying out a few trees on the Erpel side. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Finally managed to get back to Remagen this weekend. Pushed on with getting the farm house that sits on the west bank beside the bridge. Basis structure along with most of the cladding is done. Still need the roof adding. And this is how it looking in position on the layout. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al. Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Long over due update. The one job I had lined up for the Christmas break was to get the western tower clad. Unfortunately as with all plans, that came to nothing. However in the new year I did manage to get a few hours on it and got it about 75% complete. It still needs a bit of filling, trimming and sanding down. Then detail to add. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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